Metacommunication Patterns in Online Communities

Authors:
Arto Lanamäki;Tero Päivärinta
Affiliations:
Department of Information Systems, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway 4604 and University of Bergen, Norway;Department of Information Systems, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway 4604
Venue:
OCSC '09 Proceedings of the 3d International Conference on Online Communities and Social Computing: Held as Part of HCI International 2009
Year:
2009

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Abstract

This paper discusses about contemporary literature on computer-mediated metacommunication and observes the phenomenon in two online communities. The results contribute by identifying six general-level patterns of how metacommunication refers to primary communication in online communities. A task-oriented, user-administrated, community (Wikipedia in Finnish) involved a remarkable number of specialized metacommunication genres. In a centrally moderated discussion-oriented community (Patientslikeme), metacommunication was intertwined more with primary ad hoc communication. We suggest that a focus on specialized metacommunication genres may appear useful in online communities. However, room for ad hoc (meta)communication is needed as well, as it provides a basis for user-initiated community development.